Sakara v Cote cancelled for UFC 158

Alessio Sakara's rematch with Patrick Cote has been pulled from the UFC 158 card after it was revealed that the Italian is suffering from a kidney problem.

The middleweight duo had been set to renew acquaintances in Montreal after their first meeting ended in a disqualification for Sakara, who delivered a catalogue of blows to the back of the head.

It is predicted that Sakara will need three months to allow his kidneys to recover after he visited a specialist. Fighters Only translated the news.

"I've seen spreading news about the rematch with Cote. I wanted this fight so badly, even if Montreal isn't the right city for the rematch to happen. However, that does not matter now. The fact is, I cannot fight because of my kidneys," Sakara is quoted as saying.

"Three days ago I got some test results and the doctor has ordered that I stop everything for three months because of the renal stress. Right now my manager is getting the date moved."